SPADλ is a linear single-photon detector array with 320×1 single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixels, featuring thermo-electric cooling for reduced noise. These SPADs offer a low dark count rate and wide detection spectrum. Equipped with microlenses, they achieve a peak photon detection efficiency of 45% at 520 nm. This system can count photons at 4 Gcps and provides time-tagging and time-gating for time-resolved detection. With 80 TDC channels, it achieves time-tagging precision averaging better than 130 ps full width half maximum (FWHM). Ideal for flow cytometry, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), and Raman spectroscopy applications.
Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays have surpassed other detector technologies ; photon-multiplying tubes (PMTs) in signal-noise ratio (SNR) and electron multiplied charge coupled devices (EMCCDs) in frame rate andphoton fidelity, and have proven beneficial for advanced microscopy applications. Resolution and SNR improvements have been demonstrated in image scanning microscopy (ISM) and quantum image scanning microscopy (qISM) . Despite SPAD arrays reaching near 100% fill factor thanks to optimized micro lense design and fabrication processes, the photon detection efficiency (PDE) remains limited in the red and near-IR wavelengths. In this work, we present a 23-channels SPAD array with low dark count rate (DCR), picosecond time tagging capabilities and improved sensitivity for wavelength from 600 to 1000 nm. The fabrication process is fully CMOS compatible and easily scalable to larger arrays. We show a PDE of 60% and 15% at 620 nm and 900 nm, respectively. Despite the increased spectral response, the SPAD array keeps a very low ambient temperature DCR of less than 100 counts per second.
KEYWORDS: Confocal microscopy, Microscopy, Fluorescence lifetime imaging, Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, Super resolution, Single photon detectors, Single photon, Signal to noise ratio, Imaging technologies, Data processing
Confocal microscopy is an essential tool in many academic disciplines due to its intrinsic sectioning capability. The combination with time-resolved single photon detectors and Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC) devices has established it as the leading platform for time resolved investigation methods such as fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM). Recently, high-performance SPAD-arrays featuring few tens of pixels have become available. In this work we present the two central hardware building blocks: PicoQuant’s latest multi-channel TCSPC device and a cooled high-performance 23-pixel SPAD-array developed jointly with Pi Imaging Technologies. We discuss how these open up new possibilities in time-resolved confocal microscopy.
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